Gasmask-wearing armed robbers wanted more than pancakes from IHOP

Updated 12:17 pm, Thursday, August 14, 2014

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 2 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 3 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 4 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 5 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 6 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 7 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 8 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 9 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 10 of 34

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Crime Stoppers of Houston are looking for three gunmen who entered an IHOP restaurant in the 5700 block of West FM 1960 on Aug. 5, 2014 wearing gun masks and robbed both the eatery and its patrons.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 11 of 34

Houston-area crimes caught on tape

Be warned, potential evil-doers. The cameras are always on, as these suspects found out.

Houston-area crimes caught on tape

Be warned, potential evil-doers. The cameras are always on, as these suspects found out.

Photo: Adam Berry, Getty Images

Image 12 of 34

GAS STATION CAR THIEF: Harris County deputies are looking for a woman and man in their early 20s who stole a man's car around 1:15 a.m. July 19, 2014 at a gas station in the 400 block of West FM 1960. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the man distracted the suspect by asking to borrow his cellphone while the woman slipped into his car and sped away.

GAS STATION CAR THIEF: Harris County deputies are looking for a woman and man in their early 20s who stole a man's car around 1:15 a.m. July 19, 2014 at a gas station in the 400 block of West FM 1960. According ... more

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

Image 13 of 34

CLERK CHOKES OUT ATTEMPTED ROBBER: A Citgo convenience store clerk thwarted an attempted robbery of cellphones from his Fort Bend County store when he put a choke hold on one of the three suspects and refused to let go until a third suspect threatened to kill him.

CLERK CHOKES OUT ATTEMPTED ROBBER: A Citgo convenience store clerk thwarted an attempted robbery of cellphones from his Fort Bend County store when he put a choke hold on one of the three suspects and refused ... more

Photo: Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers

Image 14 of 34

SEX SHOP ROBBERY: Houston police are searching for three suspects who robbed the Katz Boutique adult store at gunpoint at 9820 North Freeway on June 17.

WALLET THEFT IN CHURCH: Harris County Sheriff's Office alleges that Cynthia Gonzales, reportedly seen in the top-middle of the frame in the dark shirt, stole from her fellow churchgoers at services throughout Houston. Here, she allegedly reaches under the pew in front of her to steal a wallet, which she allegedly used to write a $399 check at Sam's Club with. The alleged crime happened in 2011, but Gonzales was finally brought back to Texas from Florida in July 2014 to face five felony counts.

WALLET THEFT IN CHURCH: Harris County Sheriff's Office alleges that Cynthia Gonzales, reportedly seen in the top-middle of the frame in the dark shirt, stole from her fellow churchgoers at services throughout ... more

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

Image 16 of 34

STRING OF ROBBERIES IN BELLAIRE: Investigators are looking for two men and a driver who they say broke in a robbed this home in Bellaire. The area has seen a strong of recent robberies.

THEFT OF RARE SKATEBOARDS: Houston Police are seeking information regarding two suspects who broke into the Kingpinz skateboard shop at 8584 Westheimer Road on June 11 and made off with rare skateboards, t-shirts, caps and more. Surveillance video shows that thieves smashing through the front door, then pilfering the shirt and caps racks, before grabbing the skateboard decks on their way out. A person of interest possibly named Brendan is being sought for more information.

THEFT OF RARE SKATEBOARDS: Houston Police are seeking information regarding two suspects who broke into the Kingpinz skateboard shop at 8584 Westheimer Road on June 11 and made off with rare skateboards, ... more

Photo: Houston Police Department

Image 18 of 34

ROBBER PAYS UP: A routine gas station robbery probably didn’t go as planned for a Houston criminal earlier this month when he was forced to return a portion of his loot to the counter in order to leave the business he had just robbed.

ROBBER PAYS UP: A routine gas station robbery probably didn’t go as planned for a Houston criminal earlier this month when he was forced to return a portion of his loot to the counter in order to leave the ... more

Photo: Houston Crime Stoppers

Image 19 of 34

POPEYE'S CHICKEN ROBBERY: Harris County deputies are looking for three suspects who robbed at gunpoint a Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen located on West FM 1960 on July 27, 2014. Once an employee opened the restaurant safe, one of the suspects pulled out a gun, hopped over the counter and took money from both the safe and the cash register.

POPEYE'S CHICKEN ROBBERY: Harris County deputies are looking for three suspects who robbed at gunpoint a Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen located on West FM 1960 on July 27, 2014. Once an employee opened the ... more

Photo: Crime Stoppers Of Houston

Image 20 of 34

CELLPHONE STORE ROBBERY, PART 1: Houston police are searching for three masked gunmen who robbed a Sprint store at gunpoint on July 17. Investigators believe they may be the same men who committed a similar armed robbery of a Harris County T-Mobile store on July 24, making off with approximately $30,000 in cellphones. (Houston Police)

CELLPHONE STORE ROBBERY, PART 1: Houston police are searching for three masked gunmen who robbed a Sprint store at gunpoint on July 17. Investigators believe they may be the same men who committed a similar ... more

Photo: Houston Police Department

Image 21 of 34

CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY: Authorities are searching for a man they say robbed a store in northwest Harris County.

CELLPHONE STORE ROBBERY, PART 2: The Harris County Sheriff's Office is looking for three masked gunmen who robbed a T-Mobile store location at 12260 West FM 1960 by gunpoint on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 and assaulted employees inside. The gunmen made off with 80 cellphones averaging $400 in price each and an unknown amount of money.

CELLPHONE STORE ROBBERY, PART 2: The Harris County Sheriff's Office is looking for three masked gunmen who robbed a T-Mobile store location at 12260 West FM 1960 by gunpoint on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 and ... more

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

Image 23 of 34

LOAN STORE ROBBERY:Houston police robbery investigators have released surveillance video and photos of two suspects wanted in a robbery of the EZ Money Loan Services at 7000 North Freeway service road about 12:50 p.m. on May 24. The suspects are described only as black males. One was armed with a semiautomatic pistol. He is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds, was wearing a black T-shirt and has several tattoos on his face. The second suspect is about 5 feet 11 inches tall, 170 pounds and has long braids, a mustache and goatee. The suspect was wearing a black T-shirt and Chicago Bulls cap.

LOAN STORE ROBBERY:Houston police robbery investigators have released surveillance video and photos of two suspects wanted in a robbery of the EZ Money Loan Services at 7000 North Freeway service road about

NAKED PEEPING TOM: Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers have offered a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who broke into an area back yard, took off all his clothes and went swimming in the homeowners pool.

NAKED PEEPING TOM: Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers have offered a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who broke into an area back yard, took off all his clothes and went swimming ... more

Image 26 of 34

CROSS-DRESSING, DANCING BANDIT: Houston Crime Stoppers is looking for a man dressed who broke into a business' shipping area on May 5 dressed as a woman, chugged a bottle of Diet Pepsi from the office fridge and danced for security cameras before making off with several computers and other electronics. Anyone with information about the man's identity or whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or send a tip via the iWatchHarrisCounty mobile app.

CROSS-DRESSING, DANCING BANDIT: Houston Crime Stoppers is looking for a man dressed who broke into a business' shipping area on May 5 dressed as a woman, chugged a bottle of Diet Pepsi from the office fridge ... more

Photo: Houston Crime Stoppers

Image 27 of 34

ARMED RESTAURANT ROBBERIES: Harris County deputies are looking for four men who tried to rob customers in two restaurants. Photo: Crime Stoppers of Houston.

CHECK-CASHING STORE HEIST: Houston police and Crime Stoppers are looking for two suspects involved in the robbery of a check cashing store in the Copperfield area of west Houston on Jan. 14.
Witnesses describe the two armed suspects as Hispanic males between 17 to 21 years of age, around 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. Both were said to be wearing a black jacket, a black and red baseball cap, and black pants at the time of the robbery.

CHECK-CASHING STORE HEIST: Houston police and Crime Stoppers are looking for two suspects involved in the robbery of a check cashing store in the Copperfield area of west Houston on Jan. 14. Witnesses ... more

Image 31 of 34

ARMED ROBBERY OF CONVENIENCE STORE: Authorities are searching for two men they say worked as a team to rob a convenience store by gunpoint in northeast Houston in May.

HEB BANK ROBBERY: Authorities say this man robbed an HEB at 12035 Antoine earlier this year. He entered the store, just west of Veterans Memorial, walked up to the teller counter and handed the teller a threatening note demanding money, FBI officials said.

HEB BANK ROBBERY: Authorities say this man robbed an HEB at 12035 Antoine earlier this year. He entered the store, just west of Veterans Memorial, walked up to the teller counter and handed the teller a ... more

Photo: FBI

Image 34 of 34

Gasmask-wearing armed robbers wanted more than pancakes from IHOP

1 / 34

Back to Gallery

Three robbery suspects wearing gas masks hoped to get more than flapjacks at an IHOP in north Harris County earlier this month.

The robbery happened about about 2:50 a.m. Aug. 5 at the eatery in the 5700 block of FM 1960 West, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said employees told investigators the three men walked into the restaurant and demanded to see the manager. One of them carried a rifle. He pointed it at the customers. The suspects robbed the store and customers and then the left.

Each of the suspects was desribed as being black. They ranged in height between about 5 feet 5 inches and 6 feet. The wore gasmasks.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713 22-TIPS. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the suspects' arrests or charges being filed against them.